European Companies Strongly Support CSRD Directive According to a new Study
A survey conducted by the #WeAreEurope collective, in partnership with HEC Paris reveals that 61% of European companies favor the current CSRD, while 51% reject the Omnibus reform project, contradicting the dominant discourse on the impact of this regulation.
Upload the results of the survey
An Unprecedented Pan-European Study
The survey, conducted between March 31 and April 30, 2025, collected over 1,000 responses from companies across 26 European countries, representing various sectors, sizes, and ESG maturity levels. Co-led by Professor François Gemenne, Academic Director of the Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation and Brian Hill, Academic Director of the S&O Inclusive Economy Center at HEC Paris, this study constitutes the first large-scale consultation of companies directly affected by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). With 40% of respondents holding executive positions (C-level), the study highlights the strategic importance placed on sustainability issues.
CSRD Perceived as a Strategic Asset, Not a Burden
Contrary to statements from certain large business lobbies and policymakers, the results demonstrate that European companies do not perceive the CSRD as a threat to their competitiveness. On the contrary, 88% of respondents believe this directive embodies Europe's economic, social, and environmental vision, and 62% consider it a strategic asset for EU sovereignty. In France, support is particularly strong with 64% of companies expressing satisfaction. Even more surprising, among traditionally more reserved financial functions, only 27% of professionals declare themselves opposed to the directive.
Companies Seeking Targeted Adjustments, Not Regulatory Rollback
The study reveals that companies do not want to abandon the CSRD, but rather seek technical improvements: 86% call for automation of reporting indicators, 75% for the creation of a "one-stop shop ESG" to centralize obligations, and 69% request better alignment with other frameworks (SFDR, Taxonomy). Furthermore, only 27% support the proposal to raise the application threshold to 1,000 employees contained in the European Commission's Omnibus project. "It's time to take the pulse of the business world in Europe regarding the major regulatory changes under consideration, to optimize the chances that these new policies will be truly effective and succeed in reconciling sustainability and competitiveness of European companies, so that one reinforces the other," emphasizes François Gemenne.
Contributeurs académiques:
- Delphine Gibassier, PhD HEC, Vert de Gris
- Brian Hill, CNRS, Department of Economics and Decision Sciences and S&O Institute, HEC Paris
- Charles H Cho, Professor of Sustainability Accounting and Erivan K. Haub Chair in Business & Sustainability, Member of the GRI’s Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB)
- Marieke Huysentrut, Strategy Department and S&O Institute, HEC Paris
- Victor Wagner, LMU Munich
- Andreas Rasche, Copenhagen Business School
- François Gemenne, HEC Paris Department of Economics and Decision Sciences and Academic Director of HEC Paris Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation
- Alexandre Rambaud, AgroParisTech-CIRED, Codirector Chaire “Double matérialité”, Scientific director of CERCES (Cercle des comptables environnementaux et sociaux)
- Maxime Mathon, Codirector Chaire “Double matérialité”
- Véronique Blum, HDR, Université Grenoble Alpes, Chaire Secteur financier
- Clément Morlat, CERCES